Excercise recommended for person in afib

[Rickw0923]

Is there exercise program for someone suffering from afib with an enlarged left atrium. On occasion ive had to walk a long distance and although it was a bit uncomfortable during the walk i noticed that after the walk i felt quite a bit better and my blood presute was normal

[beardy_chris]

A variety of health professionals have told me that any exercise is good exercise so long as you don't overdo it. An appropriate intensity is that you can still still talk while exercising even if you are a bit breathless. The amount you'll be able to do may vary day-by-day - stick to what feels okay and don't push to satisfy any external measure.

Disclaimer: I'm not a medic

[Thomps95]

I assume you are in permanent AF? For me, exercising with any intensity while in (paroxysmal) AF will shift a manageable but uncomfortable episode into a catastrophic state in which I am on the verge of collapse, with my heart out of control - so I am very careful about exercising while in AF. However, it might be reasonable to gently exercise, monitoring carefully how your heart is responding, especially if you are in permanent AF as you can't exactly wait it out. But this is a guess; it will be interesting to see answers from people who know.

[CDreamer]

Good points - listen to your body - be able to talk whilst exercising (unless underwater) - keep well hydrated with water and don't over do it - I nearly always make things worse when I do. Happened the other day when I thought because I could carry on as I wasn't too symptomatic (PAF) - I was wrong - things got a whole lot worse quite quickly.

[nymima01]

My mother has had afib for over 25 yrs. it started out paroxysmal and I'm not sure where she is at now, but she seems to be in it quite often. She has exercised throughout all these years - mostly on a treadmill. She has to adjust according to how she feels, but she never misses a day! She is 91 yrs old and is still ambulatory. This is the reason she is so keen on maintaining an exercise regimen of some sort. She was only recently diagnosed with chf, so this puts a bit of a damper on her usual exercise routine, but she just breaks it up throughout the day accordingly. I give her credit. She does not want to become a fall risk, and wants to keep up her muscle strength. She also uses 5 lb weights while she exercises, so in case she does fall, she can push herself up better! I know there is such a thing as physical therapy for those with heart conditions. I believe your cardiologist can refer you. They say this helps so much!

[brucecg]

I have been in chronic (permanent) afib for over six years now. I'm 80 years old. I have my ups and downs but when I am down I do my usual 30 minutes on a treadmill and that brings me back to "normal" For me the mild exercise (rate of 2 to 2.5 mph for 30 to 40 minutes) is an elixir. As a matter of fact, I'm on the way to our gym at this moment for a little exercise. Oh, by the way, I also have a pacemaker.

[Hidden]

I go to gym 5/6 days a week do an hour a day cardio day 1 weights machines day 2 swim day 3 mat circuit day 4 gym ball circuit day 5 and row day 6 full hour of all. Some days feel it more than others. Feel good to be back after 5 years off. Pills and pacemaker keep me going . We all different do what you feel like if medics agree.

[Hidden]

Ps before surgery and as a consequence needing pacemaker I couldn't gym as in permanent AF and my heart didn't like it

[CaroleF]

The AF Association produces 2 exercise DVDs; one a dance programme, the other Tai Chi. You can obtain them here: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

They are free, but they ask for a £2 donation towards p&p

If you become a 'Friend' of the AF Association (£15 pa or £2 pm) they send them to you as part of your membership pack.

See here: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...